Survivor claims involve an evidence-development phase before a Proposed Decision and Order is issued; survivors of miners already entitled on a lifetime claim may qualify for expedited adjudication. Once approved, payments are received around the 3rd of each month (Part B, originally approved by SSA) or around the 15th of each month (Part C, DOL-administered). Payment is electronic only: under Executive Order 14247 ("Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account"), OWCP stopped issuing paper checks starting September 30, 2025. A beneficiary not already set up for electronic payment must submit Standard Form SF-1199A (Direct Deposit Sign Up Form) through the C.O.A.L. Mine Portal or to the Central Mail Room; a beneficiary without a bank account can enroll in the Treasury's Direct Express prepaid debit card program.

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The Black Lung Benefits Program, administered by the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC) within the Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, pays monthly cash benefits and medical coverage to coal miners who are totally disabled by pneumoconiosis ("black lung disease") arising out of coal mine employment, and monthly benefits to eligible surviving family members of miners whose deaths are attributable to the disease. The program operates under the Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. § 901 et seq.). Benefits are paid by the responsible coal mine operator (or its insurer) under Part C of the Act, or by the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund when no operator is liable. Survivors of miners already entitled to benefits on a lifetime claim may be automatically eligible under expedited procedures.

Notifying the Black Lung Program when someone dies

The Black Lung Program does not receive automated death notices. A surviving spouse, child, dependent parent, or eligible dependent sibling of a coal miner must affirmatively file Form CM-912 with DCMWC. The form serves double duty: its own cover text states that "if you are a survivor of a person who was receiving Federal black lung benefits, this is a Survivor's Notification of the Beneficiary's Death. Otherwise, this is a claim for survivor's benefits." Form CM-912 gives two filing options — submit it electronically through the C.O.A.L. Mine Portal at coalmine.dol.gov, or mail it with supporting documentation to the Central Mail Room, U.S. Department of Labor OWCP/DCMWC, P.O. Box 8307, London, KY 40742-8307. A DCMWC or Social Security Administration representative can help complete the forms, and a claim filed at an SSA office is forwarded to DCMWC (20 CFR 725.304(b)). If the miner was already entitled on a lifetime claim, DCMWC may use expedited adjudication procedures, but the survivor still must file Form CM-912 — payments do not start automatically.

Timeline: There is no time limit on filing a survivor's claim (20 CFR 725.308(a)), and an approved survivor's benefit is payable beginning with the month of the miner's death (20 CFR 725.503(c)), so a delayed filing does not forfeit months of benefits. One exception carries a hard clock: a dependent parent, brother, or sister must file proof of support within 2 years after the miner's death unless the time is extended for good cause (30 U.S.C. 922(a)(5); 20 CFR 725.222(a)(3), 725.226).

Confirm the miner's coal mine employment history. The responsible coal mine operator (usually the last operator that employed the miner for at least one year) may be liable to pay survivor benefits; otherwise, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund pays.

Gather the documents needed for the Survivor's Claim (Form CM-912):

•Certified copy of the miner's death certificate identifying cause of death
•Marriage certificate (for a surviving spouse claim)
•Birth certificates for dependent children
•School enrollment records for dependent children age 18 and over (if applicable)
•Names and addresses of hospitals, physicians, and any autopsy provider who treated the miner
•Any prior award or denial of state or federal workers' compensation for the miner
•The miner's coal mine employment history (employers, dates, locations)

Complete and submit the claim forms:

•Form CM-912 — Survivor's Claim for Benefits Under the Black Lung Benefits Act
•Form CM-911a — Employment History (supplemental, required with CM-912)
•Submit through the C.O.A.L. Mine Portal (coalmine.dol.gov), mail to the Central Mailroom, or deliver to a DCMWC district office
•A DOL DCMWC representative or Social Security Administration field office staff can assist with completing the forms

For survivors of miners not already entitled on a lifetime claim, DCMWC will develop medical evidence to determine whether pneumoconiosis caused or hastened the miner's death. DCMWC may request medical records and may ask a physician of its choosing to review the evidence. The survivor has the right to obtain medical evidence from a physician of their own choosing.

DCMWC issues a "Schedule for the Submission of Additional Evidence" describing its preliminary review. After receiving evidence, DCMWC issues a "Proposed Decision and Order" explaining the approval or denial. The decision lists options to request reconsideration or a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Note the 30-day medical-evidence exchange rule: any "medical information" developed in connection with a Black Lung claim — examining or non-examining physician reports addressing the miner's respiratory or pulmonary condition, and related test results — must be sent to all parties (including DOL) within 30 days of receipt.

If the claim is approved, attorney's fees are paid by the liable coal mine operator or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund (not by the claimant). A claimant is not liable for attorney's fees if the claim is denied.

Required Documents

Form CM-912 (Survivor's Claim for Benefits Under the Black Lung Benefits Act) — fully completed
Form CM-911a (Employment History) — supplemental form required with CM-912
Certified copy of the miner's death certificate
Marriage certificate (for surviving spouse claims)
Birth certificates for dependent children
School enrollment records for dependent children age 18 or older (if claiming augmentation)
Names of all physicians, hospitals, and autopsy providers who treated or evaluated the miner
Copies of any prior state or federal workers' compensation awards or denials related to the miner's disability or death
Coal mine employment history — employer names, dates, and job titles

Timeline

Survivor benefits

Survivor's Monthly Black Lung Benefits

Monthly cash benefits to eligible surviving family members of a coal miner whose death was due to pneumoconiosis ("black lung disease"), or whose death follows entitlement on the miner's own lifetime claim. Eligible classes under 20 CFR Part 725 include a surviving spouse (and certain surviving divorced spouses), dependent children, dependent parents, and dependent brothers or sisters who meet the relationship and dependency tests in the regulations. The 2026 base monthly rate for a single primary beneficiary is $793.60 under Part C claims (paid by the responsible coal mine operator or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund and disbursed around the 15th of each month) and $793.00 under Part B claims (originally approved by the Social Security Administration and disbursed around the 3rd of each month). Rates are set by Section 412(a)(1) of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act at 37.5% of the base salary of a federal employee at GS-2, Step 1, and increase when the GS pay scale increases.

Eligibility: Surviving spouse, surviving divorced spouse, dependent child, dependent parent, or dependent brother or sister of a deceased coal miner. Two entitlement routes: the miner is determined to have died due to pneumoconiosis, OR the miner filed a claim on or after January 1, 1982 that resulted in a final award and the survivor filed a claim after January 1, 2005 that was pending on or after March 23, 2010 (20 CFR 725.212(a)(3), 725.218(a), 725.222(a)(5)). A surviving spouse or surviving divorced spouse must be unmarried and must have been dependent on the miner at the pertinent time (20 CFR 725.212(a)). The classes are ranked: a parent is not entitled if the miner was survived by a spouse or child, and a brother or sister is not entitled if the miner was survived by a spouse, child, or parent (20 CFR 725.222(b)). Relationship and dependency tests are at 20 CFR Part 725, Subpart B (Persons Entitled to Benefits, Conditions, and Duration of Entitlement).

Amount: 2026 Part C: $793.60 (primary beneficiary), $1,190.30 (primary + 1 dependent), $1,388.70 (primary + 2 dependents), $1,587.10 (primary + 3 or more dependents). 2026 Part B: $793.00, $1,190.00, $1,388.00, $1,587.00 at the same dependent tiers. Benefit is offset if the beneficiary also receives certain state or federal workers' compensation awards.

How to apply: File Form CM-912 (Survivor's Claim for Benefits Under the Black Lung Benefits Act) plus the supplemental Employment History (Form CM-911a). Submit through the C.O.A.L. Mine Portal at coalmine.dol.gov, mail to the Central Mailroom (U.S. Department of Labor OWCP/DCMWC, P.O. Box 8307, London, KY 40742-8307), or deliver to any DCMWC district office. A DOL or SSA representative can help complete the forms.

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Medical Benefits (Survivors of Entitled Miners)

DCMWC states that, in addition to monthly compensation, "we provide eligible miners with medical coverage for the treatment of lung diseases related to pneumoconiosis." Medical benefits do not transfer to survivors after the miner's death; survivors who qualify receive only the monthly cash benefit described above. DCMWC is currently reissuing Medical Benefits Identification Cards (MBIC) along with a new pharmacy card from its new Pharmacy Benefits Administrator, Optum; claimants who had not received the new MBIC by August 31, 2026 are directed to call Acentra toll-free at 1-866-272-2682, and those without the new pharmacy card by September 10, 2026 to call Optum at 1-855-924-4688. A deceased miner's card should not be used after death.

Eligibility: Medical benefits are payable only to entitled living miners. Survivors are entitled to monthly cash benefits only.

How to apply: No application needed by survivors for medical benefits — they end at the miner's death. Survivors apply for the monthly cash benefit using Form CM-912.

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Augmentation for Additional Dependents

When a primary survivor beneficiary supports additional qualified dependents (for example, a surviving spouse caring for dependent children of the deceased miner), the monthly benefit is augmented above the single-beneficiary base rate. Augmentation tiers are set by statute and apply to both Part B (SSA-administered) and Part C (DOL-administered) claims. The same rate tiers apply to a miner's benefits during life and to survivor benefits after death: 30 U.S.C. 922(a)(4) increases the benefit "at the rate of 50 per centum ... if such individual has one dependent, 75 per centum if such individual has two dependents, and 100 per centum if such individual has three or more dependents" — that is, 150%, 175%, and 200% of the base rate.

Eligibility: Primary survivor beneficiary with one or more additional qualified dependents meeting the relationship and dependency tests in 20 CFR Part 725, Subpart B.

Amount: 2026 augmented totals (Part C / Part B): one dependent $1,190.30 / $1,190.00; two dependents $1,388.70 / $1,388.00; three or more dependents $1,587.10 / $1,587.00.

How to apply: Identify dependents on Form CM-912 and provide supporting documentation (marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, school enrollment for dependent children over 18, etc.).

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Forms

CM-912Survivor's Form For Benefits Under The Black Lung Benefits Act

Filed by a surviving spouse, surviving divorced spouse, dependent child, or dependent parent or sibling of a deceased coal miner. Serves as the Survivor's Notification of the Beneficiary's Death when the miner was already receiving benefits, and otherwise as the claim for survivor's benefits.

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CM-911aEmployment History

Supplemental form required with both miner and survivor claims. Documents the miner's coal mine employment history (employers, dates, jobs) and any non-coal-mining work, used to identify the responsible operator.

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CM-911Miner's Claim For Benefits Under The Black Lung Benefits Act

Filed by an active or retired coal miner to claim monthly Black Lung disability benefits and medical coverage during their lifetime. (Listed for completeness — survivors file CM-912 instead.)

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SSA-581Authorization to Obtain Earnings Data from the Social Security Administration

Authorizes DCMWC to obtain SSA earnings records to verify the miner's coal mine employment history. DCMWC sends the current version of this form to claimants and their representatives after it receives a claim — as of September 20, 2024 a single form covering the miner's entire wage history from age 16 — for review, signature, and return to DCMWC. Blank or signature-only forms are not accepted, and completed forms must not be sent directly to SSA.

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Frequently asked questions

Eligible survivor classes under 20 CFR Part 725 include a surviving spouse, a surviving divorced spouse who meets specific dependency tests, dependent children, dependent parents, and dependent brothers or sisters of a deceased coal miner. The miner's death must have been due to or hastened by pneumoconiosis, or the miner must have been entitled to Black Lung benefits at the time of death on a lifetime claim.

Form CM-912 — "Survivor's Form For Benefits Under The Black Lung Benefits Act." It is filed together with Form CM-911a (Employment History), which documents the miner's coal mine work. The form itself gives two filing options: submit it electronically through the C.O.A.L. Mine Portal at coalmine.dol.gov, or mail it with supporting documentation to the Central Mail Room, U.S. Department of Labor OWCP/DCMWC, P.O. Box 8307, London, KY 40742-8307. If the miner was already receiving Black Lung benefits, the same CM-912 is the Survivor's Notification of the Beneficiary's Death.

For 2026, the base monthly rate for a single primary beneficiary is $793.60 under Part C (claims paid by the responsible coal mine operator or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund) and $793.00 under Part B (older claims originally approved by the Social Security Administration). Rates are set by Section 412(a)(1) of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act at 37.5% of the base salary of a federal employee at GS-2, Step 1, and increase when the GS pay scale increases.

All Black Lung claim forms and correspondence go to the DCMWC Central Mailroom: U.S. Department of Labor OWCP/DCMWC, P.O. Box 8307, London, KY 40742-8307. Documents can also be submitted electronically through the C.O.A.L. Mine Portal at coalmine.dol.gov, which is faster and avoids postal delays.

If a coal mine operator (usually the last operator that employed the miner for at least one year) meets the criteria for responsibility under the Act, that operator or its insurance carrier pays the survivor benefit. Otherwise, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund — a federally administered trust funded primarily by an excise tax on coal — pays the benefit. DCMWC adjudicates which entity is liable as part of processing the claim.

The national toll-free number is 1-800-347-2502 (TTY 1-877-889-5627). DCMWC currently operates district offices in Charleston, WV; Columbus, OH; Greensburg, PA (physical office in Mt. Pleasant); and Pikeville, KY; plus a field office in Denver, CO. Each district office handles claims for assigned states. The full list with addresses and toll-free numbers is at dol.gov/agencies/owcp/dcmwc/districtoffices.

No. DCMWC provides medical coverage for the treatment of lung diseases related to pneumoconiosis to eligible miners. It does not transfer to a surviving spouse or other survivor — survivors who qualify receive only the monthly cash benefit. A deceased miner's Medical Benefits Identification Card (MBIC) should not be used after death. (DCMWC is separately reissuing MBICs and new Optum pharmacy cards to current claimants during 2026.)

No. 20 CFR 725.308(a) states that "there is no time limit on the filing of a claim by the survivor of a miner," and an approved survivor's benefit is payable beginning with the month of the miner's death (20 CFR 725.503(c)) — so a late filing does not forfeit months of benefits. One class does face a clock: a dependent parent, brother, or sister must file proof of support within 2 years after the miner's death unless the time is extended for good cause (30 U.S.C. 922(a)(5); 20 CFR 725.222(a)(3), 725.226). Filing promptly still starts the evidence-development process sooner.

No, but a representative is often helpful in developing medical evidence. If the claim is approved, attorney's fees are paid by the liable coal mine operator or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund — not by the claimant. A claimant is not liable for attorney's fees if the claim is denied. A DCMWC or Social Security Administration representative can also assist with the application at no cost.

The Black Lung Benefits Program is administered by the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC) within the Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs. It pays monthly cash benefits and medical coverage to coal miners totally disabled by pneumoconiosis ("black lung disease") and monthly benefits to eligible surviving family members of miners whose deaths are attributable to the disease. The program operates under the Black Lung Benefits Act, 30 U.S.C. § 901 et seq.

Under 30 U.S.C. 922(a)(4) the benefit is increased by 50% for one dependent, 75% for two dependents, and 100% for three or more dependents — 150%, 175%, and 200% of the base rate. The tiers apply to both Part B and Part C. In 2026 that works out to $1,190.30 / $1,388.70 / $1,587.10 per month under Part C and $1,190.00 / $1,388.00 / $1,587.00 under Part B. Qualified dependents must meet the relationship and dependency tests at 20 CFR Part 725, Subpart B.

Part B benefits (originally approved by SSA) are received around the 3rd of each month. Part C benefits (paid by the responsible coal mine operator or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund) are received around the 15th of each month. Payment is electronic only: under Executive Order 14247, OWCP stopped issuing paper checks starting September 30, 2025. A beneficiary not already set up for electronic payment must submit Standard Form SF-1199A (Direct Deposit Sign Up Form) through the C.O.A.L. Mine Portal or to the Central Mail Room; a beneficiary with no bank account can use the Treasury's Direct Express prepaid debit card.